Reigning Champion – Vacheron Constantin Watch Collection

Geneva’s Vacheron Constantin has been in the watch-making game for so long their prestige is pretty much beyond reproach. The luxury timepiece manufacturer has in fact been operational (without interruption) since 1755, making them the world’s oldest. Along with the honour of being a longstanding titan regardless of output, the brand can lay claim to some of the finest gear on the market.

Demonstrating as much was last year’s Harmony Collection. Released in honour of the company’s 260th anniversary, the Harmony Collection was more or less instantly heralded as a prime example of spectacular achievement in watch manufacturing and engineering. The limited edition watches were acclaimed not just for their superior mechanics and design, but furthermore because of the distinct cushion-shaped cases adorned with bold, eye-catching lines and modelled after the brand’s own debut chronographs in 1928.

Vacheron Constantin certainly knows by now not to let a good thing get away and therefore the stellar brand has just launched ten new references that maintain the exceptional standard provided by the Harmony Collection. Naturally, each new piece keeps the sophisticated momentum going strong by exhibiting top-shelf technology and remarkable cushion-shaped cases made only of the finest materials. When you absolutely must impress every other person in the room, accept nothing less.

Certified by the Hallmark of Geneva (thereby guaranteeing a high standard of quality), the latest from Vacheron Constantin is the epitome of luxury, precision and performance and quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Accordingly the watches flaunt premium features like a tourbillon monopusher chronograph, monopusher chronograph with pulsimeter scale, a double-pusher chronograph and a dual-time display. That’s all supported by unparalleled in-house movement and packed in a sturdy case that quietly screams elegance. In contrast to the 260th anniversary pieces (which featured blue anthracite-mineral numerals), the new references include silver opaline dials with a modern font along with burgundy colour and a railway-track minute circle.

Standing out amidst an already standout collection is the 2460 QC Caliber, which boasts a highly anticipated complete calendar and is powered by a mind-blowing 308 part self-winding movement which beats at a frequency of 4Hz. Representing the date is a central hand with a small crescent shape at the end that’s the colour of burgundy. The day and month are shown in apertures on the upper half of the watch face in that same unmistakable dark red colour. At the bottom half of the watch is a display showing the age and phase of the moon. As a result of such painstakingly precise astronomical indications, the 2460 QC Caliber requires adjustment once every 122 years so be sure to put adjustment instructions in your will should you buy this beast. Flip the sapphire crystal case over and you can marvel at those beautiful, complicated gears churning through a transparent window. The 2460 QC Caliber is nothing less than absolutely stunning.

Virtually all the technology gracing each timepiece–from the monopusher chronographs to the Maltese cross-shaped tourbillon–was achieved in-house at Vacheron Constantin after seven years of research. As with the recent Harmony Collection, many of the features on the new references were directly inspired by the 1928 models and additionally by vintage medical watches. Put simply, the specs on the new timepieces are a rundown of everything that makes luxury watches so appealing in the first place. Expect a high price point but one glance and you’ll know it was money well spent. From the cushion-shaped rose-gold cases with square bezels to the dual-time displays to the self-winding Calibre 2460 DT, Vacheron Constantin pulled out all the stops to deliver a range of watches that prove above all else that the art of telling time can be truly timeless when handled by seasoned experts.